A parts supplier has acquired white-colored parts purportedly for a fifth-generation iPod touch, providing further evidence that Apple is moving forward with a white version of the media player.

iFixDirect (via Technobuffalo) claims to have obtained a white front cover for a next-generation iPod touch. Other than the color difference, the alleged part does not show any major changes to the device.

In July, AppleInsider was first to report that Apple was planning a white version of its popular digital media player. Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed the iPod touch would sport few, if any, distinguishable changes from the fourth-generation black models.

Kuo suggested that the iPod touch would not receive a "spec update" this year because Apple is prioritizing supplies of the A5 processor and other components for the iPhone and iPad. Supply and manufacturing constraints have left the Cupertino, Calif., company struggling to keep up with demand for the iPhone 4 and iPad 2.

Also complicating the matter is the fact that the company has pushed the release of the next-generation iPhone past the usual summer timeframe. As such, the arrival of the iPhone 5 this fall will likely overshadow any iPod touch release. Additionally, Apple is reportedly stockpiling supplies for its next handset in anticipation of pent up demand.

Apple last updated the iPod touch in September 2010, adding a Retina Display, front- and rear-facing cameras and the A4 processor.

Evidence in Apple's own iOS betas also appears to suggest that an iPod touch update is not viewed internally as completely new generation. Recent beta releases of the software contain references to an "iPod 4,2," implying that the new device will be based on the fourth-generation iPod touch architecture.

A white iPod touch would fall in-line with Apple's recent strategy of adding a white version of its iOS devices to generate renewed interest. Last year, Apple announced a white version of the iPhone 4, but was forced to delay the product after encountering manufacturing issues. 10 months after the black iPhone 4 was released, Apple finally began selling the white model.

The white iPhone 4 has been extremely popular in China. In May, a fight at an Apple Store in Beijing over the white iPhone 4 and the iPad 2 caused a broken glass door and several injuries.

Apple also introduced a white version of the iPad when it launched the second generation of its tablet in March. The company appeared to have resolved any manufacturing or paint issues with, as, unlike the iPhone 4, the white model shipped alongside the black iPad 2 from day one.

Although I'm certainly glad that demand for the iPad and iPhone is very high, it would seem odd that the iPod Touch will be neglected by not having an A5 processor since it is Apple's top-selling iPod and is being used by schools, businesses and gamers everywhere. I wouldn't think that Apple would just leave the product hanging like that unless it's absolutely necessary. In that case, Apple should just push back the date of introduction of the 5th generation iPod Touch until there are enough A5 processors available.

There is literally zero competition to the iPod Touch. Really. The Zune? Dead. Samsung Galaxy Player? Nowhere to be found. And even if there's a competitor, all Apple need to do is cut the Touch's price, and it's game-set-over. Just look at the iPod classic. Zero competition, and Apple didn't even bother to update it nor cut its price last year.

It is, however, interesting to see how the iPod lineup will be. The price pressure is pinching the nano out. I mean Apple could've sold the 8GB Touch for $199, but they didn't, probably to create an artificial gap between the nano and the Touch. It is, however, weird to have a storage gap on the Touch, 8GB and jumped to 32GB. I can see a 16GB replacing the 8GB, probably at $199. Reaching the $199 price point again will seal Apple's dominance. More RAM would be nice too, matching the iPhone 4 at 512MB, and maybe oleophobic coating as the icing of the cake. I doubt the camera will change as Apple would want to keep the thinness of the Touch.

Or, maybe those rumor of a larger screen iPhone4s/5 was actually the next iPod Touch. Instead of updating the CPU, the selling point would be the larger screen.

the way that Apple uses paint to color the faceplates of an iPhone or iPod Touch or iPad is to use a clear piece of glass and then paint the insides. if what we see in the picture here is white colored on the outside but black colored on the inside; then it is fake. I will stake my MacBook that this photo is fake in some aspect, this is not the real part that will be used by Apple; but a regular screen with a white screen protector. I do not doubt that the iPod touch will come in a white color but it is not gonna be the item pictured in this article.

My question is implied in those emoticons. Please answer it to the best of your ability.

While it's silly to expect Apple to offer a feature for a display that isn't' being used it's actually possible (to a degree) with Smart Glass, though with an added thickness to the display and additional power when on, as well as potential unwanted light refraction.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

While it's silly to expect Apple to offer a feature for a display that isn't' being used it's actually possible (to a degree) with Smart Glass, though with an added thickness to the display and additional power when on, as well as potential unwanted light refraction.

Oh, neat. Like those transparent restroom stall doors that go translucent when you click the lock.

Oh, neat. Like those transparent restroom stall doors that go translucent when you click the lock.

I haven't seen those, per say, but they sound like the other kind of Smart Glass that uses no power when transparent, but require power to become opaque. The type Apple would use would be as shown in the 2nd image I posted. I have no idea which kind is represented in the 1st image; I posted it as an example of the opaqueness.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Wrong! Problem not quite solved. The iPhone comes with the problem of paying a $80+ iPhone bill every month for at least 2 years... If you don't talk on the phone much it is a huge waste of money.

Whereas a 3G iPod Touch with a $25 per month data plan (like what is currently available for 3G iPads) and a pay as you go cell phone for $15 per month saves at least $40 per month...

I don't see the difference here. You don't have to have a contract with the iPhone.

Lots and lots of people use pay as you go plans and SIMs. I think it's stupid because they end up paying more half the time, but "just buy an iPhone" seems an appropriate response to me. It's a bit more expensive to buy, but that's the difference in hardware you are paying for.

A parts supplier has acquired white-colored parts purportedly for a fifth-generation iPod touch, providing further evidence that Apple is moving forward with a white version of the media player....

The most disappointing part of this news for me is that if this is indeed the new iPod touch then the likelihood of those case leaks from earlier being for the iPhone 5 increases dramatically. If the iPhone 5 really is going to be looking like an iPad with a curved aluminium back and a 4" screen I'm sure not going to buy one.

The iPhone 4 design is just superlative. There is plenty of room for improvements, (lighter, thinner, smaller, faster, etc. ), without the need to jump ship and turn back the clock to the old hard-to-hold curved-back design with the impossible to access switches, poor reception, etc.

Ugh! I sure hope that predicted POS design never sees the light of day.

While it's silly to expect Apple to offer a feature for a display that isn't' being used it's actually possible (to a degree) with Smart Glass, though with an added thickness to the display and additional power when on, as well as potential unwanted light refraction.

Why would it be silly? Apple has always gone through extremes to make things that seemed impossible possible. Even if it meant developing new techniques or spending some extra cash to make it happen. To me it's the only thing I think is ugly about the white iPhone. My black iPhone, though not exactly the same shade, is entirely black when the screen is turned off. So I think that Apple would score extra points in the media and user base if they would sort this little inconsistency out as well. If I were Jobs I wouldn't care the extra cost or time it would cost to make it happen, I would just be annoyed by this inconsistency.

Posted by the door post at the post office the post man posted his last post-millennial post card with a Penny Black postage stamp via the Royal Post.

If I were Jobs I wouldn't care the extra cost or time it would cost to make it happen, I would just be annoyed by this inconsistency.

Seventy years of the psychological ingraining of "The screen on my device is black. That means it's off." can't be changed overnight, even by Apple. It would bother WAY more people that it was white. They'd be paranoid that it's still on and using battery.

Yes, as are the majority of people who read this site and the majority of iPhone buyers.

But yeah, I forgot about that part because you guys are the last place on earth it seems to get unlocked iPhones. I would still argue that it would be more polite of Americans making this argument to remember that they are in a very unusual situation and to note same in their responses.

The original answer was not "Wrong!" it was just wrong for the USA.

On the other hand if the USA doesn't finally get unlocked phones this year I would be shocked, so the whole thing is about to become a moot point anyway I guess.

Why would it be silly? Apple has always gone through extremes to make things that seemed impossible possible. Even if it meant developing new techniques or spending some extra cash to make it happen. To me it's the only thing I think is ugly about the white iPhone. My black iPhone, though not exactly the same shade, is entirely black when the screen is turned off. So I think that Apple would score extra points in the media and user base if they would sort this little inconsistency out as well. If I were Jobs I wouldn't care the extra cost or time it would cost to make it happen, I would just be annoyed by this inconsistency.

You're talking about making a device in an unusable state more attractive whilst at the same time making it less effective in use and more costly to build when in use. That's not Apple's philosophy at all.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

I guess for me, I could careless to see something at that angle and would like to spend less on a device thats out dated in a year, if I'm going to upgrade every year. Which I have since the first iPhone.

It would also make sense for Apple to make one device that does it all and let the customer decide which route to take it, be it cellular + 3G data or just 3G data (or 4G)... iPhone or iPod Touch or iDecide (patent pending... lol)?